Chapter 11

“Kimberly? Sweetheart?” Patrick said softly into her ear.

“Mmmm,” she breathed and cuddled closer to him.

“Kimberly, wake up. We are here, love.”

Kimberly stretched then turned to look out the window at Ainsworth Castle. “It is even more beautiful than I remember,” she said.

Patrick stepped out of the carriage then offered his hand to Kimberly. She stepped down slowly then gripped his hand tightly as they walked up the footpath. “Do not be nervous, my love. I am sure my father will remember you.”

“I am not nervous about meeting your father or your brother, Patrick.”

She stumbled slightly and Patrick grabbed her by the waist. “Are you having another dizzy spell?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. “Perhaps I just need some rest.”

As they entered the foyer of Ainsworth Castle, Patrick led Kimberly to the parlor so she could relax while he located his father and brother. “Will you be all right here, Kimberly?” he asked as he poured her a glass of water from the decanter on the end table.

“Yes, Patrick. I will be fine. Please stop worrying.” Kimberly took the glass from him and sipped it slowly. “I am feeling better already,” she said with a smile.

“All right,” Patrick replied. He still had a look of concern in his eyes. “I shall only be a few moments.”

He left the parlor and began calling out for his father and Jeffrey.

“Lord Patrick! Welcome home, Sir!” Niles said as he approached.

“Thank you. It is good to be home. Have you seen my father?”

“I believe he is in his study discussing the wedding plans.”

“Wedding plans?”

“Yes, M’lord. Lady Penelope and Lord Jeffrey are to be married in three days.”

“That is wonderful, but surprising news, Niles. Thank you.”

Niles bowed and continued on with his duties. Patrick made his way toward Marcus’ study and paused before he entered. He suddenly felt confusion about what Niles had just told him. Jeffrey settling down with one woman? I never imagined that would happen, he thought.

Patrick pushed the door of his father’s study open slowly. Jeffrey and Marcus were both gazing out the window and didn’t hear him enter. He crossed the room and poured himself a brandy, careful not to make any noise. As he took a seat in the chair at his father’s desk, he placed the snifter of brandy on the desk, then leaned back in the chair and cleared his throat.

“Patrick!” Marcus exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise! Welcome home!” he added as he crossed the room to greet his son.

“Father,” Patrick said as he rose to his feet and embraced Marcus. “It is good to be home.”

“Very nice to see you, Patrick,” Jeffrey said as he waited his turn to welcome his brother home.

“So what is this I hear that you and Penelope are to be married?” Patrick asked as he returned to his seat.

Jeffrey beamed a wide smile at his brother. “She loves me!” he exclaimed. “We will be married in three days.”

“That is wonderful news, Jeffrey,” Patrick said, a smile of his own graced his lips.

“So tell us all about your trip to America,” his father said while he poured himself a brandy.

“I will, father. But first, there is someone I would like you to meet.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Come with me to the parlor,” Patrick replied. “You also, Jeffrey.”

Marcus and Jeffrey followed Patrick out of the study. They both looked at each other curiously as Patrick quickened his step. When they reached the door of the parlor, Patrick paused then turned to look at his family.

“I am getting married!” he announced before he opened the door.

Both men smiled at Patrick and offered their congratulations. “So is she in there?” Jeffrey asked pointing to the parlor door.

“Yes, but she has not been feeling well so I do not want to get her overly excited,” Patrick replied.

“I can meet her another time then,” Jeffrey replied. “I have some things to discuss with Penelope, so I will leave you to your fiancée. Bring her by Summerfield Castle later, I am sure Penelope would like to meet her as well.” He shook Patrick’s hand again then turned to leave.

“Oh, Penelope will definitely want to meet her,” Patrick said at a whisper.

“Pardon?” his father asked.

“Nothing,” he replied. “Are you ready to meet her, father?”

“Yes!” Marcus exclaimed. “Do not keep me in suspense any longer!”

Patrick pushed the door of the parlor open slowly so as not to startle Kimberly. She saw him enter and immediately rose to her feet. Patrick approached her and took her by the hand then turned to his father.

“Father, this is Kimberly Paxton,” he started. “Kimberly, this is my father, Lord --”

“Lord Marcus,” she said. “It is good to see you again,” she added with a curtsey.

“Kimberly? Kimberly Davis?” he asked.

“I am honored that you remembered me, M’lord,” she replied.

“One does not forget such beauty,” Marcus replied.

Kimberly blushed at his compliment then turned to Patrick. “Did you tell him?”

“Yes, my love.”

She turned her gaze back to Marcus. “I am happy to be marrying your son, Lord Marcus.”

“I am happy that he is getting married and I know your father will be pleased!”

“I do not wish for my father to know I am here, Sir,” Kimberly said, her tone changing to anger. “He did not wish to acknowledge my existence when I was younger. I refuse to allow him anything to do with me now.”

“Surely you cannot mean that?”

“I do mean that. I wish nothing to do with my father.”

Kimberly felt Patrick’s grip tighten on her hand and she turned her gaze to him. “Do not attempt to sway my decision, Patrick,” she said firmly.

“As you wish,” he replied softly.

“Thank you.”

Patrick was concerned with the tired look in Kimberly’s eyes. “I shall call on Doctor Cohen for you once we are settled, Kimberly.”

Niles entered the parlor and announced that their bags had been taken to Patrick’s bedchamber. Patrick introduced Niles and Kimberly then took her up to his room with a promise from Marcus that he wouldn’t tell William Summerfield she was here.

“I do wish you would try to make amends with your father, Kimberly,” Patrick said.

“I do not wish to discuss my father right now, Patrick,” she said angrily. “I have made up my mind and there will be no changing it.”

“Very well,” he sighed. “Would you like me to summon the chambermaids to prepare you a bath?”

“A bath would be wonderful, thank you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him tenderly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he replied. Patrick released her long enough to leave the room and call on the chambermaids to draw a bath. He returned to the room then led Kimberly to the dressing table.

The chambermaids worked quickly to prepare the bath, adding lavender scented oils to the steamy water and laying out towels. When they left the room, Patrick helped Kimberly undress then lifted her gently and placed her in the tub.

“You are not joining me?” she asked.

“As much as I would love to, Kimberly, I cannot. I am going to fetch Doctor Cohen. I shall be back in awhile.” Patrick leaned in and kissed her before he righted himself and walked out of the room.

She watched as Patrick hurried out of the room. A smile graced her lips when she pictured his nude form in her mind. Her nipples became erect and a warm feeling coursed through her. Kimberly reached for the soap and sponge then after cleansing herself, quickly washed and rinsed her hair. She settled back in the warm water, allowing the lavender to invade her senses. She closed her eyes, feeling the tension of the last few days slowly dissipate.

When one of the chambermaids checked in on her, Kimberly was startled. She covered herself as the woman offered her help. Kimberly told the chambermaid that help was not necessary and she remained still in the tub until the woman left the room.

Quickly, she dried herself before pulling her shift back over her head. She didn’t want to risk another enoucnter with a chambermaid. All this attention will take time to get used to, she thought to herself as she walked the few steps to the dressing table.

As she sat at the dressing table and brushed out her long brown hair, she sighed contently, happy in the knowledge that she and Patrick would be husband and wife soon. She continued to brush her hair until it was only slightly damp. Kimberly rose to her feet and walked to the window beside the bed. She glanced out over the gardens, amazed at the beautiful landscaping.

Kimberly pulled the covers back on the massive bed and slipped beneath them. She fluffed the pillow beneath her head then turned on her side. She took one last glance around the room, remembering the dream she’d had of being here with Patrick on their wedding night. A soft smile graced her lips at the thought of her dreams coming true and she drifted off into a contented sleep.

Penelope knelt beside her father while she tried to revive him. “Father!” she cried. “Please, Father, wake up!” She slapped his face softly, hoping to jar him awake.

William’s eyes fluttered then opened and he glanced up at his daughter. “What happened?” he asked.

“You fainted, Father,” Penelope explained. “Are you all right? Are you able to stand?”

“Yes,” William replied and slowly pulled himself to his feet.

He was still a bit light-headed but found his chair and slumped down into it before he fell again. The message he read that caused him to faint was still gripped tightly in his hand. He glanced down and read it again.

Penelope took a seat in the chair opposite her father, a worried look upon her face. She was overjoyed that her sister was coming to England, but still very concerned with her father’s reaction to the news.

“How was your investigator able to find my sister so quickly?” she asked.

“I -- I do not know,” William sighed as he glanced at his daughter.

She frowned at the look on his face; she sensed he hadn’t told her everything. “What is it, Father?”

“I knew of your sister’s whereabouts all this time, Penelope,” he started then raised his hand to silence her. “Please, allow me to finish. Her mother came here eight years ago to beg me to acknowledge either her or Kimberly. They spent two weeks in England and stayed at Ainsworth Castle. When Emily, your sister’s mother, realized I wanted nothing to do with either of them, they returned to America.”

“Emily had told me that she and her family were living in Norfolk, Virginia. I gave that information to my investigator along with your sister’s name. It must have been quite easy to find her with that information. I just cannot figure out why she is on her way here.”

“Perhaps she wants to make amends with you, Father?”

“Perhaps. I do not know if Emily ever told her of me, however.”

“I must go and find her!” Penelope exclaimed as she rose to her feet.

“Child, it is late. We do not even know which ship she will arrive on or if she is already here. How do you intend to find her?”

“I will ask Jeffrey to help me.”

“Ask me to help with what?” Jeffrey asked as he entered the study.

“Jeffrey!” Penelope squealed, jumping into his arms and kissing him fiercely. “Kimberly, my sister, is on her way to England! I want to find her and bring her here”

Jeffrey pulled Penelope away from him but held her around the waist. “How do you know this?”

Penelope showed the message to him and he scratched his head in confusion. “We would not know where to look, Penelope. Or even if she has arrived yet.”

“That is what I told her, Jeffrey,” William chimed in.

“There must be a way!” she cried.

Jeffrey pulled Penelope to him and caressed her hair. “We will find her, my love,” he said soothingly. “I promise.”

He bowed his head and kissed her lips softly. “I have some good news of my own,” he beamed.

“What is it Jeffrey?” she asked.